With fears of a pending economic upheaval looming, many people are figuring out hacks to cut back on everyday spending.
And they may have nailed these.
And while going to the salon to get your nails done is not a necessity, there’s also no need to completely cut out the “treat yourself” indulgence if you’re watching what you spend.
That’s where “recession nails” come in.
According to Real Simple, the term refers to any kind of manicure that either costs less up-front or saves money over time by stretching out the time frame between salon visits.
The general idea is that people can keep their nails looking polished and pristine while not spending as much.
There are many ways to help save money on manicures without sacrificing quality or aesthetics, including both at-home options and others that still allow you to hit the salon.
A natural selection
Of course, the option that requires the least amount of effort, upkeep and money is to keep your nails natural.
No polish required, but Molly Romah, head nail artist at beauty and personal-care studio Chillhouse, still recommends using products when going au naturel.
“If you just want to focus on your natural nails, you can use a nail strengthener or a nail hardener and cuticle oil,” Romah told Real Simple. “Nail strengtheners can help prevent nail breakage and splitting, and you can buy these products on Amazon or at most drugstores.”
A pressing matter
Using press-on nails requires little to no effort and is a quick fix if you desperately need a manicure.
These days, many press-on options look just like a salon manicure without the price, and they can last for a week or longer. Plus, they come in a variety of styles and colors.
“Press-on nails are the quickest way to achieve an at-home manicure,” Romah shared. “First, pick the correct size for each nail. Then, apply glue on the nail, and apply the correct size tip to each nail.”
DIY not?
This at-home option is a step up from press-on nails, and making your own at-home spa can be therapeutic and relaxing.
“You still can have glamorous nails at home. You just need to have the right polishes on hand and some nail art tools,” Romah explained.
To shape, buff and paint your own nails like a nail technician can take some trial and error, but it will save money in the long run.
Some best practices for a DIY manicure include filing your nails gently and avoiding a sawing motion, which can weaken the nail. Instead, file in one direction, starting at the outer edge and moving inward.
“Whether you’re using an orange wood stick, a metal pusher, or an electric file, giving proper attention to your cuticles is essential,” Chelse Collins, nail technician and owner of The One Beauty Lounge, told NBC News.
Collins also explained the importance of cleaning your nails, using a spray with at least 70% alcohol and wiping them down.
“Polish won’t stick to a nail bed that’s oily or dirty.”
Use money-saving hacks at the salon
If you don’t want to give up the small luxury of treating yourself to a manicure in a salon, you don’t have to. There are different ways to save money while not sacrificing an appointment, Real Simple reported.
Schedule fill-ins
If you prefer to get acrylics or gel extensions, schedule an appointment for fill-ins rather than a full set. A fill-in typically costs less than starting from scratch and will save both time and money.
Choose gel or powder nails
Opting for a gel or powder manicure might be more expensive upfront, but these manicures last longer and chip less. With not as many touch touch-ups or follow-up appointments, using those methods will ultimately save money in the long run.
Use nude-colored polish
Since nude polishes blend in nicely with your skin, they will also grow out nicely and not be as noticeable as a grown-out bright hue.
An increasing number of women online are debuting short, baby pink, demure nails, which have been dubbed “princess nails” since they are, according to one influencer, “the type of nails princesses have” — including Kate Middleton.
Many in the comments claimed that calling the trend “princess nails” was a simple way to turn “recession core nails” into something that sounds nicer.
Money coach Nicole Victoria echoed that, writing on Instagram, “Princess nails, quiet luxury, everyone suddenly into ‘clean girl’ vibes … it’s not random. These trends don’t just appear — they signal something deeper.”
Rianna Basurto, director of marketing at Los Angeles- and Dallas-based nail salons Bellacures, told Yahoo News that with “clients going a bit longer between appointments,” they opt for colors that “grow out really nicely.”
“Think sheer pink, soft whites, nudes,” Basurto noted. “Think OPI’s ‘Bubble Bath’ or ‘Put It in Neutral,’ which are two of the most popular shades across all of our locations.”
Opt for short nails
Similar to the nude polish hack, starting with shorter nails rather than longer ones will allow them to grow out more pleasantly, and there won’t be as big of a rush to get back to the salon. Longer and more intricate nails call for more upkeep over time.
Bryce Gruber, a shopping editor and commerce director for major publishers, shared on TikTok that, based on her behind-the-scenes intel, short nails will be “trending by the end of the year.”
“And I know it for a fact because the ad budgets were already spent, and I sat in on a meeting about it last week,” she added in the video.
“Money is tight for a lot of people right now — people are opting for lower maintenance looks. This, being coupled with the popular ‘clean girl’ aesthetic, has made the short and tidy nails trend a clear, emerging winner for the second half of 2025,” the 41-year-old recently told Newsweek.
Gruber added in the caption of her post that “the price of maintaining long nails has gotten way out of control” — and many in the comments echoed that this trend was a recession indicator.
Someone even dubbed it the “I can’t afford to get my nails done” trend.
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